The Basics of eBenefits

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

What is eBenefits?

eBenefits is a secure web portal originally created by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to allow veterans, service members, and eligible dependents to apply for and manage their benefits.

This portal originally offered many self-service functions. For example:

• applying for benefits
• checking the status of a VA claim
• accessing official documents, such as DD214 (Report of Separation), VA award letters, and VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• updating personal information like mailing addresses
• viewing payment history, including disability compensation, pension, and education stipends
• managing health and medical records

How to access eBenefits

In order to access eBenefits, veterans and servicemembers must be listed in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and create a DS logon. If you are not in the DEERS system, your local VA Regional Office can assist you. This logon is how you will access eBenefits and remains valid through the rest of your life. In order to access the full range of features eBenefits has to offer, it is recommended by VA that you register for DS Logon Level 2 (Premium). Both the basic and premium options are at no cost to you, however, the premium logon provides users with much greater access to their information and allows them to utilize more features than the basic logon offers.

My HealtheVet

Veterans with a premium DS Logon may also use this account to access My HealtheVet. While eBenefits primarily focuses on features of the Veterans Benefits Administration, My HealtheVet allows veterans, servicemembers, and their caregivers access to health information from the Veterans Health Administration or Tricare. My HealtheVet allows veterans, servicemembers, and caregivers to securely view, download, and print medical records, refill prescriptions, communicate with their doctor, and more.

Features of eBenefits and My HealtheVet

For Veterans:

• Apply for VA disability compensation
• Check the status of your compensation or pension claim
• Upload evidence to support a disability or pension claim
• View Post-9/11 GI Bill enrollment status
• Use VA’s employment search VetSuccess
• View DoD TRICARE health insurance
• Enroll in Veterans’ Group Life Insurance
• Search for VA accredited organizations or representatives
• Order prescription medication refills
• Securely message your doctors
• Access medical information via “Blue Button”
• Use the military skills translator and resume builder
• Order medical equipment (e.g. hearing aid batteries, prosthetic socks)
• Check the status of your appeal
• Generate a VA home loan certificate of eligibility
• Obtain military documents, such as a DD 214
• Register for and update direct deposit information

For Service members

• Online transition assistance and more via the eLearning center
• Transfer Post-9/11 education benefits
• View DoD TRICARE health insurance
• View DoD TRICARE reserve select
• Service member out-of-pocket medical expenses (CCD) sign up
• Check Service members’ Group Life Insurance elections
• Apply for VA benefits online
• Take part in a health benefits eligibility check
• Update civilian employment information
• View service member personnel information
• Generate a VA home loan certificate of eligibility

For Family Members

• Check the status of a pension or compensation claim
• Get health information via the eLearning Center
• View Post-9/11 GI Bill enrollment status
• Check VA payment history